Dental appliance



June 7, 1932 c. J, sTE' N 1,861,645

DENTAL APPLIANCE Filed July 9, 1931 INVENTOR GarZ J; Zez'n/ ATTORNEY$ Patented June I, 1932 UNETED STATES CARL :r. STEIN, or ivnwxonx, n. Y.

DENTAL APPLIANCE Application filed July 9, 1931. Serial No. 549,680. I

This invention relates to dental bite blocks employed in connection with the making and fitting of artificial dentures.

Among the objects thereof is the provision of a dental bite block by which an accurate and simultaneous impression of the occlusal and interproximal surfaces of both upper and lower teeth can be secured, together with the articulation thereof under conditions closely conforming to natural conditions and without the necessity of manual or digital manipulation, modeling or molding.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a bite block wherein the retention of the exact articulation between the upper and lower teeth after the block has been removed from the mouth will be positively insured. It also provides for a structure which may be sterilized. It is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, affords a minimum of discomfort to the patient, and a maximum of convenience and certainty of success to the dentist.

One form of my invention is shown for purposes of illustration by the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the complete bite block and Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the dental wax holder.

The device illustrated consists of a holder for dental impression wax consisting essentially of two side plates 1 and 2 of thin metal, cardboard, celluloid, or other semi-flexible material. These are positioned substantially parallel to one another about three quarters of an inch apart, by means of two diaphragms 3 and a made of thin flexible material, such as linen, gauze, tracing cloth, or the like. These diaphragms are also parallel to one another and should be spaced apart somewhat, say one-quarter of an inch, and are symmetrically disposed upon either side of the horizontal axes of the side plates and should be fastened to the side plates by stitching 5, or in any other suitable way, thus forming with the side plates an H-shaped structure having a double bar. Unless an open mesh fabric, such as gauze, is employed for the diaphragms they are preferably perforated,

as shown at 6, for reasons which will hereinafter appear. By this construction two open rectangular receptacles or cradles for dental wax are formed in which the wax 7 may be placed after having been cut to proper size. Although it is not essential,I prefer to carry the material of which the diaphragms are made entirely around the side plates, as shown at 8, thus protecting them somewhat from injury and from heat and also protecting the tongue of the patient from-contact with the edges of the side plates, which, because of their thinness, may be somewhat sharp. i

In use the bite block is placed in the mouth of the patient with the side plates substan. tially parallel to the aws, and the wax surfaces opposed to the upper and lower teeth. The patientis then made to bite into the wax until it is substantially penetrated and the upper and lower teeth are substantially together. -Because of the thinness and flexibility ofthe diaphragmsthe act of biting will force them together, and this, in turn, will cause the two side plates to tend to move towards one another. In this way not only is a perfect impression of the occlusal surfaces of the teeth obtained, but the wax displaced will be forced into the interproximal spaces of the teeth with equal pressure upon both the lingual and labial sides through the movement of the side plates towards each other.

A small amount of wax will also be forced through the meshes or perforations of the lar impression, thus making for economy of manufacture, convenience in use, and adaptability to all conditions which may arise.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a holder for dental impression wax comprising two side plates held in separated and parallel relation by two thin flexible diaphragms, also arranged in parallel relation and symmetrically disposed on either side of the horizontal axes of said side plates and at right angles to said side plates. v a

2. A device of the class described comprising two side plates heldin spaced and parallel relation by two flexible parallel diaphragms forming with said side plates two opposed right angled recesses for the reception of impression wax, said diaphragms being spaced apart from each other.

3. In a device of the class described, a holder for dental impression wax comprising two side plates held in separated and parallel relation by two thin flexible spaced. diaphragms, and a protecting envelope for each of said side plates integral with said diaphragms.

4. A device of the class described comprising two side plates held in spaced and parallel relation by two flexible parallel diaphragms forming with said side plates two opposed right angled recesses for the reception of impression wax, said diaphragms being spaced apart from each other, and a protecting envelope for each of said side plates. 5. A device according to claim 2 in whic the flexible diaphragms are perforated.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 15th day of June, A. D. 1931. CARL J. STEIN. 

